Apparatus for ligating wires

ABSTRACT

A wire-ligating apparatus for twisting a wire to make a tie, comprises a main body; a rotational shaft rotatably coupled to the main body; a hooking part provided in a leading end of the rotational shaft, holding a wire; and a rotating means provided in the main body, rotating the rotational shaft so as to allow the wire held by the hooking part to be twisted. With this configuration, the present invention provides a wire-ligating apparatus making it easy to ligate the wires and unbind them, and at the same time, reducing the time consumed in ligating and unbinding the wires.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates in general to apparatuses for ligating wires, and more particularly, to an apparatus for ligating wires with which a pair of cables or wires, etc. can be conveniently twisted together to make a tie.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] A wire-ligating apparatus is an apparatus serving to conveniently make a tie with a pair of cables or wires together. The wire-ligating apparatus may have diverse applications depending on the kind and use of wires used therewith. By way of example, a wire-ligating apparatus used in making a tie with a pair of wires on a certain area for making an orthodontics, which is used to correct deformation of teeth, will be described hereinbelow.

[0005] Generally, when operating an orthodontics to treat malocclusion, it is very important to control a force produced between moving teeth (mainly, front teeth) to be moved and fixed teeth (mainly, molars) not to be moved, for a better chewing by molars and a more improved utterance and an aesthetic function by front teeth.

[0006] For example, in the case of making the orthodontic treatment of a protruding tooth or a crooked tooth, an orthodontic device comprised of a bracket bonded to the teeth and an orthodontic wire connecting the bracket has been used, when a small molar is pulled out and front teeth are then moved toward the pulled out region.

[0007] A reaction toward the molar is applied to the front teeth so as to be moved, due to this orthodontic device. However, a reaction in reverse is generated in the molar region, thereby causing the molar to be moved forward and occupy the position of the tooth pulled out, even though the molar is not to be moved, and therefore, it is problematic because the front teeth are prevented from being moved to the extent as desired.

[0008] In this regard, an orthodontic device detachable to and from the teeth, in order to reduce the reaction as mentioned above and provide a sufficient space in which the front teeth can be moved. However, in the case of adults, it has not been easy to obtain an agreement from them to operate the detachable orthodontic device to their teeth because it is neither aesthetic nor it is inconvenient to insert to and detach from the teeth.

[0009] Recently, small screws so called mini implants have been implanted between roots of the teeth, and the teeth to be corrected are connected by an elastic material and wires for orthodontia by use of the mini implants as a support and thereafter the wires are twisted to make a tie.

[0010] However, where the wires are twisted to make a tie in a final stage of the orthodontic operation, as in the conventional art, the wires to be twisted are first held by use of tools having a long and sharp leading end, such as a long nose, and then an operator twists the wires to thereby make a tie, with the use of his/her wrist.

[0011] Thus, it is not easy to twist the wires to make a tie, and also the reliability on the operation for orthodontia may be reduced because of the fatigue accumulated on the operator's wrist or arm. Further, where a tie should be made by many of the wires to be bound, it may take a longer time to ligate the wires.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wire-ligating apparatus which is capable of making it easy to ligate wires and unbind the wires, and at the same time, reducing the time consumed in ligating and unbinding the wires.

[0013] The foregoing and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a wire-ligating apparatus for twisting a wire to make a tie, comprising a main body; a rotational shaft rotatably coupled to the main body; a hooking part provided in a leading end of the rotational shaft, holding a wire; and a rotating means provided in the main body, rotating the rotational shaft so as to allow the wire held by the hooking part to be twisted.

[0014] Preferably, the rotating means includes a first driven bevel gear provided on one end of the rotational shaft, a driving bevel gear engaged with the first driven bevel gear, rotating the first driven bevel gear, and a driving part driving the driving bevel gear.

[0015] Preferably, the driving part includes a press button exposed outside the main body, and a transmitting part provided between the press button and the driving bevel gear, transmitting a linear motion of the press button into a rotation motion of the driving bevel gear.

[0016] Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a button spring coupled to the press button, elastically moving oppositely to the pressed direction of the press button.

[0017] Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a variable rotating means changing the rotation direction of the rotational shaft.

[0018] Preferably, the variable rotating means includes a second driven bevel gear disposed opposite to the first driven bevel gear, being engaged with the driving bevel gear, and an operating lever having a first end coupled to the rotational shaft and a second end exposed outside the main body, allowing one of the first and second driven bevel gears to be selectively engaged with the driving bevel gear by changing the position of the rotational shaft along the axial direction.

[0019] Preferably, a means for receiving and supporting the rotational shaft is provided on an inner back side of the main body.

[0020] Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a shaft housing enclosing one portion of the rotational shaft, disposed outside the main body, and a housing spring disposed between the shaft housing and the main body, elastically moving so as to allow the shaft housing to be separated relative to the main body.

[0021] Preferably, the hooking part is provided with a pair of hooking portions for holding the wire.

[0022] Preferably, on inner faces of the hooking portions are formed threads capable of being engaged with each other.

[0023] Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a holding spring disposed between the pair of hooking portions, elastically separating the hooking portions from each other.

BRIEF DESCRPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

[0025]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wire-ligating apparatus according to the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the wire-ligating apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0027]FIGS. 3 through 5 are views showing operational states of the wire-ligating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0028]FIGS. 6a and 6 b are partial sectional views showing an operational state of a hooking part according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0029]FIGS. 7a and 7 b are partial sectional views showing an operational state of a hooking part according to a third embodiment of the present invention

[0030]FIGS. 8a and 8 b are partial sectional views showing an operational state of a hooking part according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of a hooking part according to a five embodiment of the present invention; and

[0032]FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of a hooking part according to a six embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Hereinafter, the wire-ligating apparatus according to the present invention will be applied in making a tie with the wires for orthodontia on a certain area, and preferred embodiments of the wire-ligating apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wire-ligating apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the wire-ligating apparatus of FIG. 1. As shown in these figures, the wire-ligating apparatus is comprised of a main body 10, a rotational shaft 20 combined with a hooking part 30 on its leading end, partially holding at least a portion of a wire w (see FIG. 3), and rotatably coupled to the main body 10, and a rotating means provided in the main body 10, rotating the hooking part 30 relative to the axial line of the rotational shaft 20.

[0035] Advantageously, the main body 10 is manufactured with the size and the weight appropriate for allowing an operator to hold it with one hand. The main body 10 is comprised of a head part 10 a coupled to the rotational shaft 20 and a handle part 10 b held by the operator. A holding hole (not shown) through which the operator's finger passes may be formed on the handle part 10 b, to thereby allow the operator to conveniently hold the handle part 10 b, or otherwise, a separate pad for preventing the finger from being slid may be attached to the handle part 10 b, even though it has not been illustrated in the figures.

[0036] The rotational shaft 20 takes the form of a long bar, and a hooking part 30 for holding the wire w is provided on the leading end. The hooking part 30 is formed with a thin and elongated wire whose one end takes the form of a ring having an opening on one end thereof. The back area of the rotational shaft 20 is placed within the head part 10 a, and some area of the rotational shaft 20 is positioned so as to be exposed outside from the head part 10 a of the main body 10. For the sake of convenience, the rotational shaft 20 will be divided into a front area 20 b and a back area 20 a for description.

[0037] A boss part 13 supporting the rotational shaft 20 is provided in front of the head part 10 a, and a projection 14 supporting the rotational shaft 20 is formed within the backside of the head part 10 a. The front area 20 b of the rotational shaft 20 is supported by the boss part 13 and the back area 20 a of the rotational shaft 20 is rotatably supported by the rotational shaft supporting projection 14.

[0038] Outside the front area 20 b of the rotational shaft 20 is provided a shaft housing 40 supportively enclosing the rotational shaft 20. On the leading end of the shaft housing 40 adjacent to the hooking part 30 is formed a passing hole 41 through which a portion of the hooking part 30 is allowed to pass outside. On the back of the shaft housing 40 is provided a pressing plate 42 taking the shape of a circular flange, moving a position of the shaft housing 40 relative to a lengthwise direction of the rotational shaft 20 so as to allow the hooking part 30 to be entirely exposed through the passing hole 41. Between the boss part 13 and the pressing plate 42 is provided a spring member 44 positioned so as to enclose the rotational shaft 20, thereby providing an elastic force between the head part 10 a and the pressing plate 42.

[0039] If the operator pulls the pressing plate 42 toward the head part 10 a, the spring member 44 is compressed and the shaft housing 40 is moved toward the head part 10 a by a predetermined length, and the hooking part 30 is entirely exposed outside through the passing hole 41 of the shaft housing 40. At this time, the operator inserts the wire w to be bound into the hooking part 30 and thereafter releases the pressure applied to the pressing plate 42. Then, as the spring member 44 is elastically returned to its original state, the shaft housing 40 is moved forwardly and the back area of the hooking part 30 is again inserted into the passing hole 15 of the shaft housing 40. Thus, the wire w inserted into the hooking part 30 is supported by the sharp leading end of the shaft housing 40, thereby preventing the wire from moving out of the hooking part 30.

[0040] To the rotational shaft 20 is coupled an operating lever 73 having a first end coupled to the back area 20 a of the rotational shaft 20 and a second end disposed so as to be exposed outside through a passing hole 15 formed on the upper face of the head part 10 a. The operating lever 73 will control a rotation direction of the rotational shaft 20 by moving the rotational shaft 20 linearly along the axial direction thereof, as described below.

[0041] The rotating means 50 is comprised of a first driven bevel gear 51 provided in the back area 20 a of the rotational shaft 20 received in the head part 10 a, a driving bevel gear 52 rotating the first driven bevel gear 51, being engaged with the first driven bevel gear 51, and a driving part 53 driving the driving bevel gear 52.

[0042] Preferably, the driving bevel gear 52 is in gear-engagement with a second driven bevel gear 71 in a reverse direction thereof (to be described later), is larger in size than the first and second driven bevel gears 51 and 71, and disposed horizontally. Of course, the sizes or dispositions, etc. of the bevel gears 51, 52 and 71 can vary appropriately as necessary. The driving bevel gear 52 is rotatably supported by a rod 59 on a bracket coupling part 58 coupled to a dummy member 57 formed between the head part 10 a and the handle part 10 b.

[0043] The driving part 53 includes a press button 54 exposed forwardly to the handle part 10 b of the main body 10, and a transmitting part 56 integrally combined with the press button 54 and the driving bevel gear 52, transmitting a linear motion of the press button 54 into a rotational motion of the driving bevel gear 52. If the operator presses the press button backwardly, the driving bevel gear 52 is rotated, putting the rod 59 as an axis, by the transmitting part 56 eccentrically disposed on the bottom of the driving bevel gear 52.

[0044] At this time, since the first driven bevel gear 51 is engaged with the driving bevel gear 52, in response to rotation of the driving bevel gear 52, the first driven bevel gear 51 is rotated accordingly and the rotational shaft 20 coupled with the first driven bevel gear 51 is also rotated. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, the rotational direction of the rotational shaft 20 by the first driven bevel gear 51 will be named “forward direction” and the rotational direction of the rotational shaft 20 by the second driven bevel gear 71 will be named “reverse direction.”

[0045] Inside the handle part 10 b is provided an elastic spring 60. The elastic spring 60 has a first end fixed by a spring coupling part 62 formed on an inside wall of the handle part 10 b and a second end coupled to a rear end of the press button 54. The press button 54 pressed so as to rotate the rotational shaft 20 to the forward direction can also be restored to its original position by the elastic spring 60.

[0046] On the other hand, the present invention further provides a variable rotating means 70 which can rotate the rotational shaft 20 to the forward direction or the reverse direction. The variable rotating means 70 is comprised of the second driven bevel gear 71 and the operating lever 73 described above, the second driven bevel gear 71 being provided back the inside area 20 a of the rotational shaft 20, having teeth opposite to those of the first driven bevel gear 51 and being coupled to the driving bevel gear 52.

[0047] If the operator presses the press button 54 after moving the operating lever 73 to one direction (see “F” of FIG. 5 as directed by an arrow) to thereby detaching the first driven bevel gear 51 from the driving bevel gear 52, and engage the second driven bevel gear 71 with the driving bevel gear 52, the rotational shaft 20 is rotated in the reverse direction as the driving bevel gear 52 is rotated by the transmitting part 56 and the second driven bevel gear 71 engaged with the driving bevel gear 52 is rotated.

[0048] With this configuration, a process of twistedly ligating the wires with the use of the wire-ligating apparatus for orthodontia according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 through 5.

[0049] The operator pulls backward the pressing plate 42 formed on the shaft housing 40 toward the head part 10 a with his/her index finger or middle finger and so on, with holding the handle part 10 b (see “D” of FIG. 3 as directed by an arrow). Then, the shaft housing 40 is moved toward the head part 10 a by a predetermined distance as the spring member 44 is compressed, and at the same time, the hooking part 30 is entirely exposed outside through the passing hole 41 of the shaft housing 40.

[0050] At this time, the operator releases the pressure applied to the pressing plate 42 after appropriately inserting the wire w to be bound into the hooking part 30 (see FIG. 3). Then, the shaft housing 40 is moved forward as the spring member 44 is elastically restored to its original state, and the rear part of the hooking part 30 is again inserted into the passing hole 15 of the shaft housing 40. Therefore, the wire w inserted into the hooking part 30 is supported by the leading end of the shaft housing 40, thereby holding the wire to be tied.

[0051] Under this condition, the operator presses the press button 54 toward the main body 10 (see “E” of FIG. 4 as directed by an arrow). Then, the first driven bevel gear 51 engaged with the driving bevel gear 52 is rotated forward, and thus, the wire w inserted into the hooking part 30 is twisted to thereby make a tie (see FIG. 4). Here, the rotation number of the rotational shaft 20 by one press of the press button 54 can be properly controlled by controlling the dimensions of the bevel gears 51, 52 and 71 and the distance moved by the press button 54.

[0052] Where the press button 54 is restored by the elastic spring 60, it is effective to provide a means (not shown) for preventing a restoration of the press button 54 from being transmitted to the driving bevel gear 52 in the driving bevel gear 52 and the transmitting part 56, so as not to allow the driving bevel gear 52 to be rotated in the reverse direction.

[0053] By the way, where it is necessary to rotate the rotational shaft in the reverse direction, that is, for untying the bound wire w, the operator pulls forward the operating lever 73 (see “F” of FIG. 4 as directed by an arrow). Then, the first driven bevel gear 51 is separated from the driving bevel gear 52, and the second driven bevel gear 71 disposed back is engaged with the driving bevel gear 52. Under this condition, if the operator pulls back the press button 54 toward the main body 10 (see “F” of FIG. 4 as directed by an arrow), the driving bevel gear 52 is rotated by the transmitting part 56, and the second driven bevel gear 71 and the rotational shaft 20 are accordingly rotated in the reverse direction.

[0054] As described above, if an operation to ligate the wire w is completed, the operator again presses backward the pressing plate 42 formed in the shaft housing 40 toward the head part 10 a. Then, since the hooking part 30 into which the wire w is inserted is almost entirely exposed outside through the passing hole 41 of the shaft housing 40, the operator can easily detach the wire 2 from the hooking part 30, thereby finishing ligating the wire.

[0055] According to the present invention, ligating and unbinding of wires can be facilitated and the time consumed in ligating and unbinding of wires can be reduced. Also, easiness of ligating and unbinding the wires does not cause fatigue to be accumulated on the operator's arm or wrist, etc., thereby increasing the reliability on the operation for orthodontia.

[0056] According to the above-described embodiment, the hooking part 30 takes the shape of a ring having an opening on one end thereof (see FIG. 2). However, the hooking part 30 and the shaft housing 40 may be constructed as in the following embodiments to be described later.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 6a and 6 b illustrating the second embodiment of the present invention, the hooking part 30 a formed on one end of the rotational shaft 20 a is comprised of a pair of hooking portions 30 a′ and 30 a″ and provided within the shaft housing 40 a. Also, a spring 80 a by which the pair of hooking portions 30 a′ and 30 a″ are elastically moved to be separated from each other is provided between the pair of hooking portions 30 a′ and 30 a″.

[0058] If the shaft housing 40 a is moved backward as shown in FIG. 6a, the hooking part 30 a received within the shaft housing 40 a is exposed from the shaft housing 40 a, and both portions 30 a′ and 30 a″ of the hooking part 30 a are opened. At this time, if the wire w to be bound is positioned between the pair of hooking parts 30 a′ and 30 a″ and then the shaft housing 30 a is again moved forward as seen in FIG. 6b, and the pair of hooking portions holding the wire w is received within the shaft housing 40 a. Thereafter, the wire w inserted into the hooking part 30 a is twisted to make a tie by rotating the rotational shaft 20 a in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 7a and 7 b illustrating the third embodiment, threads may be formed inside the pair of hooking portions 30 b′ and 30 b″ provided on the end of the rotational shaft 20 b. In this case, the force holding the wire w can increase more strongly than in the second embodiment. The operation based on the third embodiment will be of the same as in the second embodiment described above, and thus, repetitive description about it will be avoided.

[0060] The fourth embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8a and 8 b is almost identical to the third embodiment. But, in the fourth embodiment, a hooking portion 30 c′ on one side of the hooking part 30 c is fixed and a hooking portion 30 c′ on the other side of the hooking part 30 c is driving relative to the fixed hooking portion 30 c″. In this case, the force holding the wire w can increase more strongly than in the second embodiment. The operation based on the third embodiment will be of the same as in the second and third embodiments described above, and thus, repetitive description about it will be avoided.

[0061] On the other hand, in a process of ligating the wire w by rotating the wire w after holding it, a sharp leading end of the wire w may hurt a gum or a wall face inside the mouth if it contacts them. Thus, as seen in FIG. 9 depicting the fifth embodiment, a means for winding the wire is provided on the outside of the shaft housing 40 d. If the wire w is twisted to make a tie by rotating the rotational shaft 20 d after winding the lead end of the wire w held by the hooking part 30 d on the wire-winding means 90, this may prevent the gum or the wall face inside the mouth from hurting. The wire-winding means may, as illustrated in FIG. 9, be in the form of protection, but it may also be formed with a shielding structure in which one end of the wire-winding means is rotatably coupled to the outside of the shaft housing 40 d and the leading area of the wire w is stably in contact with the outside of the shaft housing 40 d.

[0062] In the embodiments described above, the shaft housing encloses the rotational shaft, but only the rotational shaft provided with the hooking part on one end thereof may be provided, without a shaft housing.

[0063] As seen in FIG. 10, a pair of hooking terminals 31 e and 32 e holding the wire w and a pair of handle parts 41 e and 42 e capable of separating the pair of hooking terminals 31 e and 32 e are formed on the hooking part 40 e. Under the condition that the pair of hooking terminals 31 e and 32 e are separated from each other as the pair of handle parts 41 e and 42 d are close to each other, a wire is disposed between the hooking terminals 31 e and 32 e and then the wire is held by the hooking part 40 e as the pair of hooking terminals 31 e and 32 e are close to each other by the restoration of a spring 80 e resulting from releasing the pressure applied to the pair of handle parts 41 e and 42 e.

[0064] Besides the embodiments stated above, a motor capable of being rotated forwardly and reversely may be used for rotating the rotational shaft in forward and reverse directions through an on-off switch after connecting the rotational shaft to the motor.

[0065] As described above, there is provided a wire-ligating apparatus making it easy to ligate the wires and unbind them, and at the same time, reducing the time consumed in ligating and unbinding the wires.

[0066] Although a embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wire-ligating apparatus for twisting a wire to make a tie, comprising: a main body; a rotational shaft rotatably coupled to the main body; a hooking part provided in a leading end of the rotational shaft, holding a wire; and a rotating means provided in the main body, rotating the rotational shaft so as to allow the wire held by the hooking part to be twisted.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotating means includes a first driven bevel gear provided on one end of the rotational shaft, a driving bevel gear engaged with the first driven bevel gear, rotating the first driven bevel gear, and a driving part driving the driving bevel gear.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the driving part includes a press button exposed outside the main body, and a transmitting part provided between the press button and the driving bevel gear, transmitting a linear motion of the press button into a rotation motion of the driving bevel gear.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a button spring coupled to the press button, elastically moving oppositely to the pressed direction of the press button.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a variable rotating means changing the rotation direction of the rotational shaft.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the variable rotating means includes a second driven bevel gear disposed opposite to the first driven bevel gear, being engaged with the driving bevel gear, and an operating lever having a first end coupled to the rotational shaft and a second end exposed outside the main body, allowing one of the first and second driven bevel gears to be selectively engaged with the driving bevel gear by changing the position of the rotational shaft along the axial direction.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a means for receiving and supporting the rotational shaft is provided on an inner back side of the main body.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a shaft housing enclosing one portion of the rotational shaft, disposed outside the main body, and a housing spring disposed between the shaft housing and the main body, elastically moving so as to allow the shaft housing to be separated relative to the main body.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hooking part is provided with a pair of hooking portions for holding the wire.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein on inner faces of the hooking portions are formed threads capable of being engaged with each other.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a holding spring disposed between the pair of hooking portions, elastically separating the hooking portions from each other. 